Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.
Missing levels within the leveling matrix can be added based on business need.

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Research Compliance

The Research Compliance Specialist works with investigators, research teams, faculty, administrators, staff, and students to ensure institutional and regulatory research compliance obligations are met through a review, evaluation, approval, and continual monitoring process; conduct internal audits/inspections; assist research teams navigate external audits/inspections; keep abreast of compliance requirement changes; prepare reports; provide training.

• Develop research compliance monitoring policies and procedures; establish goals and objectives identifying successful program indicators
• Assist investigators, research teams, faculty, administrators, staff, and students meet institutional guidelines, state law, and federal regulatory compliance obligations; identify, interpret, and explain requirements impacting studies
• Review, evaluate, approve, and continually monitor research project compliance; conduct internal quality assurance audits and inspections; maintain records and data; prepare reports detailing observations, risks, recommendations, and all other compliance actions required
• Prepare investigators and other research personnel for sponsor, grantor, accrediting body, and regulatory authority compliance audits and inspections; conduct pre-audit/inspection interviews and record reviews identifying areas of concern; prepare reports and provide advice
• Develop and implement effective educational programs promoting responsible scientific research conduct and integrity; conduct training sessions for faculty, staff, and students in all areas of research compliance
• Keep abreast of changing regulatory requirements and organizational demands impacting research; disseminate information as needed
• Attend workshops and seminars to maintain currency and obtain advance knowledge regarding compliance reviews and research standards
• May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level:

– Principal Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Displays mastery of defined skill areas/applications, principles, theories and practices. Evaluates and enhances existing practices. Recognizes emerging trends in area of expertise. Works independently on complex or strategic assignments. Directs and delegates appropriate tasks to others. Implements strategies to ensure achievement of initiatives. Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and deliver to broad audiences. Identifies and implements innovative solutions to important, highly complex strategic and/or operational issues.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Validates and pays invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding
– May plan and forecast budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters complex and novel problems
– Applies policies, practices, specialized knowledge, and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations, and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on complex or strategic assignments
– Uses existing practices as guidelines as well as working knowledge to determine specific work methods
– Carries out work activities independently, with supervisor available to resolve problems
– Reviews work of others to verify technical soundness

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members and area leads across the University
– Prepares written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on complex issues and delivers to a broad variety of audiences
– Establishes and maintains networks to facilitate successful communication among units

• Comp Grade – 12
• Minimum – $81,312.00
• MidPoint – $101,664.00
• Maximum – $122,016.00

• Audit Management
• Auditing
• Compliance
• Consulting
• Document management
• Investigation
• Organizational training
• Presentation Skills
• Procedure development
• Report writing